Won't start in gear. Need advice.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
No changes there, both bikes have original levers on either bike. I do loosen up the controls on both ends and move levers up slightly for comfort, but nothing extreme. I do have leather wraps on the levers, but wouldn't think they were too thick to not allow an adequate pull on the lever, but maybe so?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
easy way to check would be to remove the leather wrap on the clutch lever and see if it'll start in gear then.
i just did an experiment on my bike. put it in 1st, and then pulled the clutch in varying distances to see how far in you had to pull before it would start. on my bike, it would turn over if there was app. 1/2'' distance between the lever and the grip. so unless your switch is got the tip broke off, i would say that the leather shouldn't be interfering.
i'd still pull it off to check though.
i just did an experiment on my bike. put it in 1st, and then pulled the clutch in varying distances to see how far in you had to pull before it would start. on my bike, it would turn over if there was app. 1/2'' distance between the lever and the grip. so unless your switch is got the tip broke off, i would say that the leather shouldn't be interfering.
i'd still pull it off to check though.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
easy way to check would be to remove the leather wrap on the clutch lever and see if it'll start in gear then.
i just did an experiment on my bike. put it in 1st, and then pulled the clutch in varying distances to see how far in you had to pull before it would start. on my bike, it would turn over if there was app. 1/2'' distance between the lever and the grip. so unless your switch is got the tip broke off, i would say that the leather shouldn't be interfering.
i'd still pull it off to check though.
i just did an experiment on my bike. put it in 1st, and then pulled the clutch in varying distances to see how far in you had to pull before it would start. on my bike, it would turn over if there was app. 1/2'' distance between the lever and the grip. so unless your switch is got the tip broke off, i would say that the leather shouldn't be interfering.
i'd still pull it off to check though.
Last edited by checkers; Mar 11, 2015 at 06:16 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 35
My 2007 has the safety clutch interlock switch.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 35
Maybe on bikes built for the overseas market.
Last edited by Sailrider 1; Mar 11, 2015 at 08:27 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 7
From: Oklahoma
Example: If I am sitting at a railroad crossing in 1st gear, I have shut the engine off. When train clears I pull in clutch, turn the switch on and push start button, and nothing. I then put shifter into neutral and it cranks. My last Heritage was the same way. I assumed this was the way they were.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 4
From: South Carolina
Over seas models.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Atlanta, GA
Hi Skratch,
Yes, just got to it today. (Not lazy, just busy!) I hope this helps others.
I split the housing and all looked just fine, so I reassembled and same problem. So just as a test, I sat on the bike, had it in gear and rather than use the clutch I pressed in the safety switch with my left index finger and hit the start button very briefly. Sure enough the bike wanted to start and of course lurched forward a bit.
The problem must have been when I re-glued my left grip in January and reassembled the housing, something was just slightly out of alignment. It couldn't have been much at all as I could clearly see the clutch pushing in the safety switch, but wouldn't start. Today after I did the finger test, I loosened the four screws and very carefully mated all the parts back together and tightened her up. Started right up. Tested it about 6 times just to make sure and all went well.
Thanks to all who gave me advice and I hope this helps someone else down the road.
Yes, just got to it today. (Not lazy, just busy!) I hope this helps others.
I split the housing and all looked just fine, so I reassembled and same problem. So just as a test, I sat on the bike, had it in gear and rather than use the clutch I pressed in the safety switch with my left index finger and hit the start button very briefly. Sure enough the bike wanted to start and of course lurched forward a bit.
The problem must have been when I re-glued my left grip in January and reassembled the housing, something was just slightly out of alignment. It couldn't have been much at all as I could clearly see the clutch pushing in the safety switch, but wouldn't start. Today after I did the finger test, I loosened the four screws and very carefully mated all the parts back together and tightened her up. Started right up. Tested it about 6 times just to make sure and all went well.
Thanks to all who gave me advice and I hope this helps someone else down the road.
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